World champion Tirop out of the nationals
Agnes Tirop crosses the finishing tape to win the Junior women's race at the Africa Cross Country Championship at Kololo Airstrip Kampala, Uganda on March 16, 2014. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Tirop, 20, who finished second last year behind Faith Chepng’etich, became the youngest World champion after winning in Guiyang, China.
- Tirop is one of the high profile athletes who will not feature at the IAAF Permit Meet after Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the Kenya Police Cross a month ago in Nairobi and Mercy Cherono, also of Police, withdrew.
- Tirop would have represented Central Rift but was missing from the team’s line-up that has Viola Jepchumba, Gladys Koech, Ivy Lagat, Sylvia Kibiego, Gladys Singol and Cynthia Limo.
World Cross Country champion Agnes Tirop has withdrawn from the National Cross Country Championships due Saturday at the Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.
Tirop, 20, who finished second last year behind Faith Chepng’etich, became the youngest World champion after winning in Guiyang, China.
Tirop is one of the high profile athletes who will not feature at the IAAF Permit Meet after Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the Kenya Police Cross a month ago in Nairobi and Mercy Cherono, also of Police, withdrew.
Tirop would have represented Central Rift but was missing from the team’s line-up that has Viola Jepchumba, Gladys Koech, Ivy Lagat, Sylvia Kibiego, Gladys Singol and Cynthia Limo.
STAR-STUDDED FIELD
However, the women’s 10km race will still be rich with some of Kenya’s finest runners led by defending champion Faith Chepng’etich, who faces one of the sternest test from a star-studded field.
The 22-year-old Chepng’etich, who will be representing South Rift, was locked out of the World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China, last year by a metatarsal injury.
African Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo leads Police team that has World 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Hyvin Kiyeng and experienced Africa Cross bronze winner Janet Kisa.
Also in Police team are 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Pascalia Jekorir, Lydia Rotich and Viola Chepchumba.
Athletics Kenya public relations officer Evans Bosire said preparations are complete for the championships with athletes from seven countries expected.
“We are good to go and we should expect some riveting action,” said Bosire.
AFRICAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
AK will use the IAAF Permit race to select the team for the Africa Cross Country Championships slated for March 12 this year in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Pauline Kaveke, who won the Kenya Prisons Cross and was in Kenya’s junior team for the 2013 World Cross Country, leads Prisons team that will be out to Police.
Prisons team also has Regional Cross Country champion Nancy Nzisa and Visiline Jepkesho, winner of both the 2014 Milan and Lisbon marathon.
KDF squad of 2005 Marrakech World Youth 1,500 gold medallist Sheila Chepkirui, the 2007 World Cross junior bronze medallist Veronica Nyaruai and 2012 World Indoor 3,000m champion Hellen Obiri will be out to halt Chepng’etich’s Police fire.
African Games 10,000m Alice Aprot, who won bronze at Africa Cross in 2014 and 2007 Africa Youth 1,500m silver medallist Joyline Chelang’at will marshal Nairobi’s assault.
North Rift has 2012 World junior 3,000m champion Daisy and 2011 World Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Nora Jeruto and Gladys Kemboi.
A thrilling battle awaits when some of the world’s best cross country athletes face-off in men’s 10km race.
Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki, who finished first and second respectively at the 2015 World Cross Country in China, renew their rivalry in the race.
